Published: 1 years 333 days ago
Sacramento Bee: The heated debate over Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson's most recent proposal to grant his office increased powers entered the City Council chambers once again Tuesday night.
Johnson had asked the council to direct City Attorney Eileen Teichert to draft a November ballot measure for his strong mayor proposal.
The debate - complete with lengthy reports by a city lawyer and the testimony of 50 members of the public - continued late Tuesday.
Hours before the council session, a confident mayor predicted the council would vote overwhelmingly to direct Teichert to draft the measure. He described council colleagues who would vote against his plan as "obstructionists" intent on landing a "slap in the face to the public" that wants to see a written version of his proposal.
That confidence was still apparent as Johnson introduced the City Council discussion later Tuesday night, saying the council was "on the brink of doing something very historic in the city of Sacramento."
Should the council direct Teichert to draft the measure, the city attorney would come back to council July 13 with the language. At that time, the council would vote on whether to place the measure on the November ballot.
Under a draft outline of Johnson's plan, the mayor would propose the city budget, appoint and fire the city manager, assistant city managers and department heads, and have veto power over some council actions, including budget items.
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